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An update on Council's response to COVID-19
 
SERVICE SUMMARY: Tuesday 24 March 2020
 
An update on Council services affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
 
A message from the Mayor and CEO

We are a strong and caring community and it is important we look out for each other.

We understand that as the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues it will have a real impact on our daily lives.

Our focus is on delivering for our community and providing access to essential services.

Unfortunately, for the time being, we won't be able to do that through face-to-face contact in many cases. It also means we need to close some services.

We appreciate this is a difficult and stressful time for many in our community.

Please look out for each other, and rest assured we will be here in some way, shape or form throughout this crisis.

We are also working hard behind the scenes and will be here when we eventually head into recovery.

We are all facing our own challenges as we work through what this means for us as individuals and as a community. The great thing about our Shire that we hear time and time again is how well we look out for each other.

We need to continue to do this in the weeks and months ahead.

We will come out the other side of this, although things might look quite a bit different for a while.

Thank you and take care.

Mitchell Shire Council Mayor Councillor David Lowe and Acting CEO Mary Agostino

 
 
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COUNCIL SERVICE UPDATES

We're reviewing services every day, and as major announcements are made that may change our service delivery approach. 

We're committed to bringing you essential services, but we also need to put measures in place to protect everyone's safety and to help slow the spread of transmission. 

Below is a summary of our service status. We've also include some more extended details for some of our services. 

You can view the latest information at www.mitchellshire.vic.gov.au/COVID-19

SERVICE UPDATES ON OUR WEBSITE
 
 
WE'RE CLOSED, BUT WE'RE ON THE PHONE AND ONLINE
 

We've had to close some services. We're working to introduce alternative service delivery options where we can and we're available by phone and online for many services. 

  • Council-operated sessional kindergartens are closed in line with the Victorian school term.
  • Libraries are closed, but members can access a range of online resources. We're also looking at ways we might be able to introduce a library delivery service in the future. 
  • Leisure centres and stadiums including our pools and gyms are closed. Check out the Mitchell Shire Leisure Facebook page for some online programs you can do at home.
  • Youth rooms are closed. Phone and online outreach is occurring instead.
  • Building and planning counter at our Wallan office is closed. Phone and online service is available. Site visits by appointment.
  • Greater Beveridge Community Centre community bookings are closed. Maternal and child health and immunisation will continue. 
  • Business support: We've also been passing on information from the State Government to our registered food businesses and we've provided updates to other businesses.
 
 
WE'RE OPEN, BUT WITH CHANGES TO SOME SERVICES
 

We are working hard to continue to provide essential services. We've got a number of changes in place to help reduce direct contact. We appreciate your help in making this work for all of us.

Customer service centres: open for essential services, but please contact us by phone or online if you can access the service you need that way. 

Kerbside waste collections: no change.

Resource recovery centres: open, but please stay in car, follow the direction of the operator and please pay by card, not cash.

Essential maternal and child health and immunisation services are continuing, but we're limiting appointment times and doing as much of the work as we can by phone. 

Safety services including animal management, roads, park and open space maintenance, public health and environmental health are continuing with some changes in place to minimise direct contact.

Other services: most of our other services are operating through phone and online contact. 

 
Please do not enter if you have: fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath
 
SAFETY FIRST Help reduce the spread
 

We're encouraging people to avoid face-to-face contact if they can.

There are many ways you can help slow the spread and still access Council services.

If you do need to visit us, please follow the physical distancing measures that are in place and DO NOT visit if you are unwell, have returned from overseas recently, have had contact with someone who has returned from overseas recently or you are confirmed to have COVID-19 or are in close contact with someone who has.

 
 
HERE TO HELP Other ways to access services
 

We are still providing most of our services online and over the phone. For any questions relating to Council, please feel free to contact us.

 
Other ways to contact us phone 5734 6200, web mitchellshire.vic.gov.au or email mitchell@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au
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BUSINESS SUPPORT AT THIS TIME Government assistance and resources
 

There have been many announcements about government support that is available.

We've also been passing on information from the State Government to our registered food businesses and we've provided some general updates to other businesses.

The Victorian Government has set up a special business hotline and a section on their Business Victoria website with a summary of the latest information on restrictions and assistance available.

Visit the Business Victoria site or call the hotline on 13 22 15.

 
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GOVERNMENT UPDATES Stay connected
 

It is important to remain informed of the latest updates from the Victorian and Australian Government in relation to COVID-19.

The Victorian Government has a dedicated website www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au with access to a range of information. It also has details about how to access emergency relief packages for eligible households who are in quarantine due to coronavirus. It also has information about help for households impacted by the pandemic in other ways. 

The Australian Government has dedicated the front of its website to coronavirus updates with links through to the latest updates as well as a range of resources and information. 

 
 
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Mitchell Shire Council, 113 High Street Broadford, Vic 3658
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